Kenting Three Treasures Introduction
The three treasures of Hengchun in the past were "Qiongma, onions, and Port tea," but they are now "Qiongma, onions, and watermelon." Over time, while watermelon and onions remain the primary agricultural products of the Hengchun Peninsula, Qiongma has gradually declined due to industrial changes in Taiwan. Today, only the "Qiongma Industrial History Exhibition Hall" remains, providing visitors with an understanding of the rise and fall of Qiongma, serving as a testament to the once-thriving Qiongma industry. Qiongma: Among the three treasures of Hengchun, Qiongma is the most famous and historically significant. Qiongma in Taiwan was introduced by American consul David W. C. B. Wilson, originally planted only at the Taipei Agricultural Experiment Station. In the second year, several Qiongma plants were transplanted to the Hengchun Tropical Breeding Farm. As the trial planting showed good results, large-scale cultivation began. In 1918, machinery and equipment were imported, marking the beginning of mechanized Qiongma production. The uses of Qiongma are diverse; besides making ropes, it is also widely used for hammocks, burlap sacks, shoes, mattresses, carpets, brushes, and paper, and even as packaging materials for farms and factories. Due to favorable prices, the residents of Hengchun flocked to the mountains and forests, clearing land to plant Qiongma seedlings. At its peak, production reached 200 tons in a month, earning it the title "Light of the East." At its highest price, Qiongma sold for as much as 12 New Taiwan Dollars per pound, bringing significant wealth to Hengchun residents, and even leading to the saying "Qiongma draws silk and builds high towers." However, with the rise of industry and fierce international competition, prices plummeted, and the benefits of cultivating Qiongma decreased significantly. This led to the decline of Qiongma in Hengchun until the tourism industry revived, prompting villagers to shift their enthusiasm for Qiongma cultivation to tourism. Onions: The barren gravel soil of the Hengchun Peninsula and the strong northwestern winds during winter are suitable for onion bulb growth. The stronger the winds, the better the quality of the onions. After importing over 30 varieties from the United States in the 1950s, Hengchun became the main onion-producing area in Taiwan, accounting for 80% of Japan's total onion imports in the 1970s. Each year during the peak onion production season in March and April, piles of golden onions can be seen sparkling in the sunlight by the roadside. The Checheng Township Farmers’ Association promotes onions combined with tourism by organizing the "Hengchun Onion Festival/Carnival." Many onion by-products have also been developed, making onions a representative specialty of Pingtung County. Port Tea: Produced in Gangkou Village of Manzhou Township, located at the mouth of Gangkou Creek, it is said that during the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty, a county official who loved tea could not find fresh tea in the Hengchun Peninsula. As a result, tea seeds were purchased from Anxi, Fujian, and tested for cultivation in Hengchun and Manzhou. This resulted in successful cultivation in Gangkou Village due to the favorable conditions: slopes that blocked the northeast monsoon while welcoming the southwest monsoon, with ample rainfall suitable for tea cultivation, hence the name Port tea. Port tea is more commonly planted in terraced fields on slopes, with harvests available throughout the year. However, the planting area is small, with an annual production of about 600 kilograms, and prices are high, especially for spring and winter tea. Due to climatic and soil influences, the most distinctive feature of Port tea is its strong bitterness, high concentration, and resistance to brewing, accompanied by a rich aroma and a long-lasting aftertaste. It has a unique tea flavor and is said to have the remarkable effect of relieving coughs and colds when consumed with rock sugar, making it one of the specialties of Kenting National Park. Watermelon: In recent years, the Hengchun Peninsula has utilized the riverbeds of the Shijhong and Fenggang Creeks during winter to plant watermelons, making it the only place in Taiwan to produce watermelons in winter. The bright red watermelon flesh is as enthusiastic as the fiery sun of the Hengchun Peninsula, and the locally produced watermelons are sweet, crisp, juicy, and have excellent texture. As a result, watermelons are gradually replacing Port tea among the three treasures of Hengchun.
Port Harbor Tea
Qiongma Industrial History Exhibition Area
